India requests Vijay Mallya's extradition from Britain

'Formal request' made for extradition of Vijay Mallya to face trial for financial fraud and defaulting on loan payments.

09 Feb 2017 20:07 GMT

Mallya made Kingfisher beer a global brand and started an airline [Reuters]

India has submitted an official extradition request to Britain to send back Vijay Mallya, a former liquor tycoon, to face trial after he fled the country owing more than $1bn.

The Indian foreign ministry said on Thursday that it lodged a formal request with the British high commission in the capital, New Delhi, after investigators demanded that Mallya be brought home to face charges of financial fraud and defaulting on loans.

"We have today handed over the request for extradition of Mr Vijay Vittal Mallya as received from the CBI [Central Bureau of Investigation] to the UK High Commission," Vikas Swarup, ministry spokesman, said.

"We have requested the UK side to extradite him to face trial in India."

Mallya has repeatedly refused to appear before courts and investigators in India since he secretly fled to Britain last March, after defaulting on loan payments to state-owned banks and allegedly misusing the funds.

His financial dealings are being investigated by the CBI and the federal Enforcement Directorate, a financial crimes agency.

Mallya, known for his extravagant lifestyle and who once branded himself the King of Good Times, was sacked late on Wednesday from the board of United Breweries, the firm through which he once controlled his business empire.

He made Kingfisher beer a global brand and ran a now-defunct airline with the same name, besides being the owner of a cricket side and a Formula One team.

More than half a dozen court warrants have already been issued against his name, and he owes banks at least $1bn.

In January an Indian court ordered a consortium of lenders to start the process of recovering the loans.

Mallya has repeatedly refused to appear before courts and investigators in India [Reuters]